Aug 28, 2009
Community Care Fund at Forefront of '09 United Way Campaign
The Leon Levine Foundation has pledged $1 million to inspire new gifts to United Way of the Central Carolinas’ Community Care Fund during the agency’s 2009 annual campaign.
The challenge grant was announced today at the United Way offices during a surprise campaign kick-off event, two weeks ahead of the planned campaign start date. Agency officials said the gift reflects a renewed push to focus donor attention on the Community Care Fund, which is addressing unprecedented health and human services needs brought on by the economic downturn.
“The Levine Foundation challenge grant is a tremendous endorsement of the Community Care Fund and its importance in meeting local needs now and over the long term,” said Carlos Evans, chair of the United Way board. “The grant comes at a critical time for the United Way and this community and will help refocus all of us on helping our neighbors and making our community stronger.”
Gene Pridgen, 2009 United Way campaign chair, said this year’s campaign goal of raising at least $22.7 million marks a major change from past campaigns since the total represents only contributions to the Community Care Fund. Historically, the United Way annual campaign goal included contributions to the Community Care Fund as well as donor- designated gifts to United Way member agencies, other non-profit organizations and United Way affiliates around the country.
Of the $31 million total raised in 2008, approximately two-thirds went to the Community Care Fund, and the remainder went to these other sources, Pridgen said. The United Way 2009 campaign goal is $1 million more than was raised for the Community Care Fund in the 2008 campaign. If the 2009 campaign reaches the $22.7 million goal, the Levine Foundation will add another $1 million, bringing the total to at least $23.7 million.
Leon Levine, founder of Family Dollar Stores, said the challenge grant reflected his and his wife Sandra’s belief in the efficacy of the Community Care Fund.
“The United Way Community Care Fund was born in the shadow of the Great Depression, as a way for people to help those who had fallen on hard times,” Levine said. “The Fund is the essence of what United Way has always been about – neighbors helping neighbors. The idea remains relevant today, as many who live here struggle with the effects of the economic downturn.”
“When Sandra and I look for good ideas in which to invest our Foundation’s dollars, we look for those which will have the most impact. We think the challenge we are announcing today will be one of those good ideas,” Levine continued. “Workplace giving is absolutely critical to the charitable landscape of Charlotte, especially for those with critical needs in health and human services. For this reason a healthy, successful United Way is imperative and we are excited about its refocus on local giving. We believe this challenge will help return the United Way to that success and help the community at the same time.”
“We want our gift to be a catalyst for the community to rally behind the Community Care Fund. It has huge potential to help those in greatest need,” Levine said. The United Way may direct money from the Fund to the areas where there is the most need, since donors to the Community Care Fund do not designate their gifts to a specific non-profit organization.
The Levines also said they have renewed confidence in United Way. “With Jane at the wheel of a revamped management team, major staffing changes, a massive board reorganization, completely new governance policies and a renewed focus on local giving through the Community Care Fund, we believe the United Way is back on course,” Leon Levine said.
McIntyre, newly appointed United Way executive director, said donors should be assured that their gifts to Community Care Fund will be put to good use. “We have 250 volunteers – people from all walks of life and work – involved in evaluating how to best invest the funds people pledge through workplace giving campaigns,” she said.
“We work closely with non-profit agencies and volunteers throughout the year to identify the most pressing needs. It’s a rigorous process that assesses needs, agency programs and their impacts,” McIntyre said. “As a result, contributions to the Fund are allocated efficiently to a wide range of programs and services that work together to meet priority needs, she added.
“The needs have never been greater. We hope this challenge grant will have the effect of inspiring others, especially those who lost faith in the United Way, to support the Community Care Fund,” Levine said. “The Fund remains one of the best ways for all of us to give and be assured that their charitable dollars are having a direct and positive impact. Please join us in giving to the Community Care Fund.”
Click Here to download remarks from Leon Levine
About United Way of Central Carolinas United Way of Central Carolinas is a 77-year-old community service organization that raises and distributes funds to support 97 charitable agencies in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Anson, and Union counties as well as the Mooresville-Lake Norman area. The agency works to advance the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. The United Way movement creates long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that enable progress in these areas. For more information about United Way of Central Carolinas, please visit uwcentralcarolinas.org.
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